Member of a sect portrayed as opposing Christ in the New Testament (8)
I believe the answer is:
pharisee
'member' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pharisee that I've seen before include "Hare pies (anag.)" , "Hypocritical Biblical official" , "Strict observer" , "scribe's partner" , "Self-righteous person - one of an ancient Jewish sect" .)